Health officials warn of heat-related illnesses

High temperatures expected to be in 90s next four days

Baltimore health officials are warning residents to be careful as the area braces for its first extended stretch of hot weather this summer. High temperatures are expected to stay in the 90s the next four days, 11 Insta-Weather PLUS meteorologist Ava Marie said. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday. A Code Orange air quality alert took effect Wednesday, which, according to the National Weather Service, means air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for children, people suffering from asthma or other lung diseases, people with heart diseases and the elderly.

Baltimore health officials are warning residents to be careful as the area braces for its first extended stretch of hot weather this summer.

High temperatures are expected to stay in the 90s the next four days, 11 Insta-Weather PLUS meteorologist Ava Marie said.

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The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday. A Code Orange air quality alert took effect Wednesday, which, according to the National Weather Service, means air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for children, people suffering from asthma or other lung diseases, people with heart diseases and the elderly.

"We recommend that people stay indoors when possible. If you're going out, don't do strenuous physical activity, especially if you have asthma, COPD or one of these other chronic lung issues," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said.

Wen is concerned about the vulnerable population in the city, but is stopping short of calling for a Code Red and opening cooling shelters.

"We will be activating Code Red based on certain criteria that includes temperature. Right now, it is not yet Code Red weather. It's pretty close. It's not quite Code Red yet," Wen said.

Dr. Stephen Schenkel, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Mercy Medical Center, said now that summer is here, heat- and air-related illnesses are picking up.

"We've certainly seen plenty of respiratory illness so far, which starts early in the summer. As the summer moves on, we'll see people who actually get sick from exposure to the heat itself," Schenkel said.

He said the No. 1 issue this time of year is people lose awareness when they are outside.

"Certainly, if you get busy and it gets very hot, you may not notice until it's a little too late," Schenkel said.

During such periods of hot weather, health officials offer the following tips:- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine- Reduce outside activities and stay inside in air-conditioned locations- Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles, even for short periods of time- Check on older, sick, or frail neighbors who may need help responding to the heat

Watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which include:- Confusion- Hot, dry, flushed skin or cool and clammy skin- Lightheadedness- Nausea- Call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms occur